An awakening...

"Stop Snitchin'"

This was a DVD that appeared in the national conscience in 2004, relating to drug dealers in Baltimore threatening violence against those who reported about their activities to authorities in exchange for a lighter sentence. It led to the phrase "Snitches get stitches," and it featured New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony in a brief cameo. The video's creator, Rodney Thomas was sentenced to 15 years in prison for pleading guilty to first-degree assault. Despite claiming that it was a joke, Anthony's squeaky-clean reputation took a hit among fans across the league. (credit: Wikipedia)

"Republicans buy shoes too."

These words were uttered by Michael Jordan in 1990 when asked why he would not endorse Harvey Gantt in the North Carolina Senate race against his Republican opponent, well-known segregationist named Jesse Helms. Jordan, who was the face of Nike, Gatorade, and the NBA at the time, was criticized for not being a voice in the community as fellow athletes of his ilk such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Which is why it was so refreshing to see these two in particular become the headline players as we've seen violence between law enforcement and citizens like never before. We have seen in the news countless stories of brutality and retaliation, creating a cultural divide, with it seemingly being played out over our airwaves and on social media. We've seen LeBron James and others take a stand after the Trayvon Martin shooting, and countless others during the Black Lives Matter movement. It was a throwback to an era when being outspoken could leave an athlete ostracized from endorsements and receive the ire of fans who want their players to focus on their athletic prowess as opposed to being a voice. The late Muhammad Ali was not as beloved by folks (both black and white) in the 1960s when he loudly spoke out against the Vietnam War. When we watched how O.J. Simpson avoided getting involved in the same issues, it was disturbing to see how disconnected he really was.

However, it was great to see Anthony come out himself and mention that "it's not about endorsements," and that athletes should speak up about the devastation that's going on around them. Even more, to see Jordan speak not only with his voice but with his dollars, shows that today's athlete has separated himself from focusing on simply the "brand." The focus should not be on the results, but the decision of these athletes to realize that there comes a time to go beyond the clichés and media-friendly quotes. A revolution has begun among athletes, and the ones who fall behind it are the ones who sit back and do nothing.

A Golden Decision...

Life offers us only so many opportunities. There's that window from ages 31-50 to make your money so you can retire to the confines of the beach and see the world. Fellas, when you meet that special someone, that window is even shorter. Most businesses fail within the first 3 years because we never get into the black after spending so much on expenditures. Bottom line, is that when these doors open to do better for yourself, what becomes our rationale for either accepting them or rejecting them? Is it loyalty, fear of change, or the need for something greater that drives a person to take advantage of an opportunity.

That is what Kevin Durant did as he announced on the Players Tribune that he will sign with the Golden State Warriors after spending the first 9 years in Seattle then Oklahoma City when the franchise relocated. He won the 2014 NBA MVP and is one of the league's best shooters. He left an Oklahoma City team that came within a quarter of defeating the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. There is vitriol on the Twitter-verse, calling Durant a "ring chaser" and what he did being worse than LeBron's "The Decision" to join the Miami Heat in 2010. However, there's an analogy that best describes what KD did. Maybe not on the same scale, but it's all the same.

I think of my father back in 1991. He was very successful as a Logistics Director at the U.S. Postal Service in Macon, Georgia. He was also a well-beloved associate pastor. He was given an opportunity to move his family to Washington DC for three times as much the money. Didn't give it a second thought about terms like loyalty and sticking to familiar territory. He did what was best for himself and his family, and we all prospered as a result.

I hear people say it now, "Jordan, Magic or Bird never left!" To that I have three reasons why: Chicago, LA, and Boston. It's kind of hard to leave those cities when you know they are destinations. Oh by the way, you all know that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar left Milwaukee for the confines of LA, so this has precedent. Only difference was that there was no Twitter-verse or Stephen A. Smiths hating on his every move.

Durant had to do what was best for him, he owes Oklahoma City nothing. The window opened up to go to Silicon Valley and he did what 99% of us would do. They say that 48% of people never leave their hometown. I say that those people are the ones who miss out on the best life has to offer. The worst thing a person can have in life is regret.

Peace among us...

The drug infestation of the 1970s...

The death of Len Bias hours after he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986...

Magic Johnson announcing his retirement on November 7, 1991 due to being diagnosed with HIV...

The NBA has had some very dark moments, but none of those put as black an eye on the league as the evening of November 19, 2004 between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. What you see above was the end result of a few moments of tension mixed in with competitive nature. Throw in the overwhelming presence of alcohol, and what we saw on our television screens was utter chaos and unbelievable violence. We've seen athletes fight other athletes, and fans fight other fans in the stands, but never athletes verses fans. Not only did it result in a change of dress code and years of goodwill having to be re-established between the league and fans, it also changed the course of Pacer basketball history, as a team with championship aspirations were forced to continue on without Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace), who was one of the primary instigators of the fateful night.

Artest would eventually return to the league, change his name, and spend time playing overseas before returning to the LA Lakers in the twilight of his career. Now, one would think that it would create a permanent divide between World Peace and the people of Detroit, especially the fan who threw beer on him, which led to the melee. Well, he's not known as Metta World Peace for nothing, as his then-teammate Stephen Jackson explained on ESPN's The Jump recently.

Grudges aren't meant to the held forever, and to see that these two people have reconciled is further proof that no matter what happened in the past, we are responsible for being the one who seeks forgiveness. Remember, to forgive is so that we can be released from the burden. If the other person does not receive it, we are free to move forward with our lives. As Jackson said, he doesn't know how they remain close friends to this day, it's amazing.

In a world in which there is constant conflict and strife, be the person who seeks true peace.

An American Icon, An American Tragedy...

 

When I first saw Orenthal James Simpson it was as a sideline reporter for NBC Sports football. My father would describe to me how Simpson's game on the gridiron was a manifest of power and beauty, whether it was at USC or for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. He had such a presence on our TV screen that in the black community he was as big an icon as Michael Jackson or Bill Cosby. I would often see Simpson's image on Hertz commercials as he ran through the airport and Spot-bilt ads in my comic books. When I would play football with my brothers on the streets of Warner Robins, we would often yell out "The Juice is Loose!" whenever we got the pigskin.

When I found out that Simpson was going to appear in the "Naked Gun" movies I was stoked. He was a combination of goofiness and clumsiness as Norberg. I often wondered why he wasn't in the movies for long, as I later found out it was because of his poor acting, but when he did show up I always had a good laugh at his expense. Again, he was O.J.! Of course I was going to enjoy it!

Then June 16, 1994 happened. I was preparing myself for my graduation from Woodbridge High School, thinking about how I was going to celebrate later and say goodbye to friends I knew I would never see again. It was a hot and balmy 94 degrees as we all sat outside waiting for the next level in our lives as graduates. Once the pleasant exchanges were over and we all made plans to meet up later that evening, my family and I returned home. I figured I'd catch Game 5 of the NBA Finals between Houston and New York and then I turn on the remote control to catch this...

 

As that white Ford Bronco was cascading down the I-5 of the Los Angeles Freeway, with hundreds of onlookers with their signs above the bridges, everything I thought I knew about O.J. Simpson vanished with every passing mile. Suddenly, my thoughts weren't about his 2,000 yard season in 1973, or wearing a goofy afro with Leslie Nielsen. No, my thoughts went to "He's killed two people and now he's going to kill himself!" What occurred next has been the focus of the recent FX drama "The People vs. O.J. Simpson" and now being told in an ESPN 30 for 30 "O.J. Made in America."

 

As my wife and I saw the first part of this riveting 5 part series, it was a throwback to an O.J. I never knew. While the nation was burning in the heat of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, it was the one time Simpson deliberately wanted to stay on the sidelines instead of strapping on the helmet of justice. There was a line that really brought it home for me. One night at a club in Los Angeles, a young blonde woman saw O.J. sitting with a group of black men. The lady said, and I'm paraphrasing, "There is O.J. with those niggers." According to a white man who was in earshot of what was said, he mentioned that O.J. responded with, "She's right. I am O.J.!" No defense of his brethren in attendance, and it was in that one statement that I realized that he wasn't such a hero after all.

 

We are all fallen individuals, but there is something special about identifying with who you are and standing alongside those who are the same. Simpson called an audible, thinking that his rising tide of Hollywood stardom would encourage others to do the same. His ideology was that the only way to achieve equality was to avoid all mention of who he really was, a black man playing football, receiving the cheers of a divided America only because of his exploits on Saturdays and Sundays. Once that Bronco stopped in the residential neighborhood of Brentwood, CA, he realized that harsh reality.

 

Was I one of the individuals who celebrated when he was acquitted of double murder in 1995? Yes, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that it was less about O.J. and more about some misguided revenge for what happened to Rodney King three years earlier at the hands of corrupt policemen. However, I realized how wrong that was. Again, we are fallen people. As I now see the images of O.J. Simpson rotting his latter days away in a Clark County, Nevada prison, it was a stark reminder of being careful of the people we admire. Sometimes we need to realize that the stars that shine the brightest crash the hardest.

 

 



 

 

Local boy done good...

This past Sunday I was able to meet one of my favorite wrestlers of all time. Ron Simmons, known to many fans for being the first black WCW World Heavyweight Champion as well as a member of the Nation of Domination and the Acolytes Protection Agency in the WWE as Farooq. He had such a presence about him that though younger fans may only know him as the guy who is reduced to a catchphrase nowadays, he was one of the more powerful performers I ever had the chance to see. However, this is more than just an extended Wikipedia page about Simmons' career.

Simmons was well known around Middle Georgia, particularly in the small city of Perry. He attended Warner Robins High School, which was the school my brothers and I attended in the late 1980s - early 1990s. He was workout buddies with my uncle, and even to this day is one of the most celebrated athletes in the area, from his All-American career at Florida State to his exploits in the squared circle. Along with other players such as former Los Angeles Raider Eddie Anderson, it's always refreshing to see people from our hometown grow up to succeed on a greater scale.

Meeting him was more than about getting a photo-op (although it was incredibly cool!) it was about reminiscing about dreams from a long time ago. Often we allow the treadmill of life to interrupt those dreams and we leave them back in our hometown, thinking that they were only foolish machinations of our mind as we move forward to focus on bigger paychecks and comfort. Mr. Simmons was a reminder of how dreams can truly come true if we are willing to work hard and stay focused on the bigger goal ahead.

Wherever you go, bring your dreams and gifts with you; you never know what rooms they can open...

What is true Greatness?

To define the life of Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, could not be contained in simple words or eulogized by the mountain of quotes that the "Louisville Lip" popularized in his heyday. It would be impossible to define him simply for his stance against an unjust system in America during the Civil Rights Era.

Even more, you could not define him by his unsurpassed skill and determination in the ring of the sweet science of boxing as he took on all challengers and became the face of a generation.

Muhammad Ali was so much more than that. His complexity was only matched by his bravado and quick wit. His mission wasn't to be the richest or most popular fighter, it was much more than that. It was to give that 9-year-old child growing up in Detroit's section 8 housing someone to look up to when their father wasn't around. It was to inspire confidence in a people who felt that no one stood up for them. His voice was loud and proud; his enemies called him arrogant, his supporters called him fearless.

No, his greatness was defined by his willingness to give up everything for what he believed in. He was willing to sacrifice championship gold and the fame to hold fast to his faith. Did I agree with everything he said? Not always, but I respected the strength of his convictions. Ali knew that the greater reward was to be received long after the final bell had sounded. People didn't follow him because of his "rope-a-dope" strategy; they followed him because of his presence. He was a symbol of power and pride.

One can be accomplished without being respected. One can be liked without being admired. Ali was all of those things, and it wasn't because of his sharp tongue or blinding speed, it was because he knew that true greatness goes beyond the cheers of man. As a native son of Georgia, this image of Ali will always burn brightest in my mind, long after the flame of the torch has flickered.

How do we stop it?

Sexual assault, football program, small town...

Do these words sound familiar? It should be, and unfortunately it's a string of words that have rang in our conversations and news reports for far too long. It's a disease that has infiltrated academic institutions for years, whether it's in Happy Valley, Tallahassee, Steubenville, or more recently Knoxville, there has been a long trail of pain, power, and criminality that has been a part of the football environment as much as the pigskin and tailgate parties.

What happened today in Waco, Texas among the allegations of nine sexual assaults that led to the firing of long time head coach Art Briles and the re-assignment of Baylor University President Ken Starr (yes, that Ken Starr) will appease some. Granted, there are still those who will still think that the NCAA is out to get their beloved school (because never mind the women who were attacked against  their own will, as long as we beat Oklahoma! Go Bears!) but they bleed green and gold. However, it's not the fans who are the problem, there's a reason fan is short for fanatic. It's much bigger than that.

Whether it's the Catholic priests who are molesting young boys, or the recent stories by actors such as Elijah Wood coming out against the rampant pedophilia in Hollywood, the theme is the same: a crime has been committed by someone in power, and the higher-ups look the other way, hoping it will go away. The media who is afraid to challenge the system because of fear of losing access, to the police force in these small towns who dismiss the reports, everyone is accountable when they know and won't do what is necessary to bring this evil to light.

Rather than focus on the problem, it's time for solutions. There needs to be an independent counselor assigned to these institutions when an accusation comes about. Someone who can thoroughly investigate these matters without threat of obstruction. Someone like, I don't know...their own Ken Starr!

Sexual assault is no joke, and the time for administrators, law officials, and media to start dealing with this with the severity it deserves. Although Briles should be held accountable for his lackadaisical approach to reprimanding his players, his primary focus should be on developing players for being successful each Saturday in the Fall. He is no preacher, and that is where leadership above him comes into effect.

It's as Starr said, "Our hearts break for those whose lives are impacted by execrable acts of sexual violence." Starr told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "I am in favor of transparency. Stand up, take your medicine if you made a mistake."

It's time for these football institutions to get a taste of their own medicine and be held in check. It doesn't matter how many wins you get over your rival, when innocent people are violated and left to defend themselves, everyone loses.

In Spirit vs. Truth

They say that rules are to be enforced by the letter of the law, yet we do 30 mph in a residential district and don't get a speeding ticket. We give one child who spills their juice on the carpet a mere "tsk, tsk", and the one who wrote their name in crayon all over the drywall gets put in timeout. Teachers, don't you sometimes let the A-plus student turn in their homework a day late yet give a "0" to the class clown if they do the same thing?

Rules are meant to keep order in society, to restrain those from doing harm to themselves or to others. We've seen rules get enforced differently in the gated communities as opposed to the Section 8 housing ghettos of America. There's a reason for that, and it's that same reason why Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green didn't get suspended for tonight's Game 4 against Oklahoma City for the infraction you see above.

Now, upon further review I also believed that he shouldn't be suspended for what he did. For those who have played basketball, you know all about the purpose of deceiving the officials into giving you a phantom foul. He purposely attempted to flail and in the process happened to make unfortunate contact with the Thunder's Steven Adams. NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Kiki Vandeweghe presented his views on the matter yesterday. However, not everyone believed that was the real reason for not suspending Green.

Noted ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith stated that the main reason they should not suspend Green was the fact that it wouldn't be right to have the Warriors play at full strength. He argued that it had nothing to do with the league rules, but moreso about ensuring that the Western Conference Finals would be more entertaining with Green playing, and that it's not fair to the networks or the fans who pay outrageous ticket prices. Although he did bring up that the intent to hurt Adams was not there by the spirit of the law, the truth is that the focus of his rant was more about entertainment than enforcement.

This is where I strongly disagree with his reasoning. Yes, I agree that he should not be suspended, but the need for entertaining television should never be a factor when it comes to enforcing rules. The NBA has had a history of being accused of favoring certain teams (2002 Lakers) and poor officiating on the grandest stage only reinforces that notion. I remember the outcry when the Phoenix Suns had two major players suspended for leaving the bench in the 2007 Conference Finals against San Antonio, and I agreed with the ruling back then. If that is truly the league's reasoning (although they'll never state it) then they are setting up a bad precedent down the line. Even though the spirit of the law can be interpreted, it should never cloud the truth of doing the right thing, regardless of fan reaction. 

Perseverance in Pain...

The first Olympics I remember watching as a child was the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Now, I didn't know any better as a young lad, but I was happy about those nasty no-good Russians not participating and the Memorial Coliseum being filled with the red, white and blue. The first race I happened to watch on TV was the 3000 meters final, and there was apparently a lot of hype behind it. The two major competitors were Great Britain's Zola Budd and the darling of the USA team Mary Decker. What happened next was and still is a controversy that will be discussed for decades...

What I remember next (other than my mother repeatedly shouting out "She tripped her!") was watching the emotion of tears streaming down Decker's face as she watched her dream of Olympic Gold go down onto the stadium track. I just remember feeling a sense of disappointment along with her, and every time I would watch a runner lose a race, regardless of magnitude, that same feeling would come back. Perhaps it was because it is a display of how fleeting victory can be, and that years of hard work would disappear in a moment's notice. However, that paled in comparison to what took place at the Big Sky Outdoor Conference Championships last week.

Granted, she had already qualified for the finals, but instead of taking the easy way out and sitting down after rupturing her Achilles right after the race started, her decision wasn't even a debatable one: to keep on racing. She realized it wasn't just about her pain in the moment, it was about something larger. We often allow the slightest of annoyances to throw us off the goal, but remember, it's not just for our own interests that we have to continue on. There are others that are counting on us, looking at us to see if we have what it takes to finish the task. As someone who left college 15 years ago, only to return in my late 30s, I had to come to a realization: that it's not about what I wanted to accomplish, but to let future generations know that when life knocks you down, you have to get back up.

Erdahl, like so many others before her, got knocked down, but never quit. If you live long enough you will get knocked down too, and pain will be in the process. However, allow that pain to help you to grow, fight through it, and keep your eyes on the prize ahead. It will come in due time.

Leave it to chance...

2.5 grams of celluloid....

That is what will determine the future of 14 cities and the fate of many young men as the NBA Draft Lottery take place tonight. However the ping-pong balls of destiny bounce, it will direct how legendary franchises such as the Philadelphia 76ers (who are experts at this by now) and the Los Angeles Lakers have to move forward after very disappointing seasons. For teams such as Utah and Minnesota, tonight will be more about taking that final step towards becoming contenders in the postseason. For some, Christmas will come in May and for others, heartbreak at the realization that they are forced to wallow in the mire.

But should it? No, this isn't a referendum on changing the lottery process. I've never been a believer in the whole "lottery is rigged" campaign. Now, I would propose that to make it even more enticing, show the actual process of picking the balls out of the container on live TV, similar to those lotteries you see on the local evening news. If you are in Los Angeles or Sacramento, wouldn't you be glued to the TV set wondering if you are getting Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram by the bounce of the ball?

That being said, many teams look to the draft as a life preserver for failed decisions of the past and developing a culture of losing. Take the Timberwolves for instance. This is their 12th year in the lottery, and they are just now getting top level talent that can eventually result in playoff appearances. The 76ers have embraced losing like a fine cologne, yet whomever goes to the City of Brotherly Love will find themselves wrapped with 20 year olds who are a boat with no rudder. Acquiring talent is one thing, developing them into winners is another thing all together.

I'm not against tanking, sometimes it takes a scorched earth process in order to eventually grow. However, if you have poor leadership at the top, it won't matter who you select at #1. Shaquille O' Neal didn't leave Orlando because he wanted to do movies in Tinseltown; he left because of weak-kneed management who didn't place the right people in place over the organization. There's a reason Tim Duncan spurned Florida to remain in San Antonio; the culture established by Gregg Popovich encouraged him to stay there.

The point is, too many of the teams vying to turn it around overnight are like the man who never maximizes his 401k, or the fool who parts from his money on fast cars and fast food. Those are the ones you find at the 7-11 scratching off tickets in hopes of making it big in one fell swoop. The people who you find obsessing over Powerball are the same ones who never bothered to be wise stewards of their finances, or never develop their skills to become valuable in the job market.  Ever see that show "The Lottery Ruined My Life?" those people are similar to the teams who got the #1 pick but draft Kwame Brown (sorry Wizards fans).

So to you Lakers fans who think getting Ben Simmons will be the cure-all, just remember that euphoria will disappear when you realize who you have running your culture. A person who trusts in a Lucky 7 or thinks a weekend trip to roll the bones in Vegas is a person who has no lasting foundation, no matter what riches may befall you. Wealth is nothing without the character to maintain it.

The Big Payback...

Memories can be a tricky thing sometimes. The best ones are quickly forgotten, only to be recalled at a later date. However, it's the ones that cause the most pain that seems to linger like an old wound that never heals. Go back to the moments of your greatest disappointment and think about how long it took to move past it. Whether the event that happened to you was external or internal, the burden hardest to bear is living with the memory, even harder to erase it. That's why what took place in Arlington, Texas yesterday was a symbolism of a memory that stayed with the Texas Rangers long enough. The question is: was this best way to erase it? With unsubstantiated payback?

For those who may not remember how things started, I'll take you back to last October, Game 5 of the ALDS. The Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays were locked in an epic 3-3 tie. The Blue Jays, who had not been to the postseason since 1993, were in the bottom of the 7th when star player Jose Bautista stepped up to the plate:

With that, 23 years of frustration in the Rogers Centre went up into the upper deck, and while the Canadian faithful celebrated, the Rangers had the memory of vengeance on their minds, particularly due to an insignificant celebration by the Blue Jays' cleanup hitter. However, they had to wait until their last matchup of the year to exact their method of revenge. The Rangers decided to hit Bautista and he then does a direct slide right into Odor at second base, beginning the melee. Then it becomes a donnybrook as the benches cleared. At the end players were ejected and while the Rangers may have thought it made up for losing the playoffs, they only looked more foolish.

Baseball has been known for its long memories. Remember this incident?

For those who lived outside of the Big Apple and didn't watch, this was when Roger Clemens (allegedly) threw shards of a broken baseball bat at Mike Piazza. Now, back then it created a media firestorm of "The Mets need to get revenge on Clemens!" for a simple act of aggression. It resulted in one of the worst throwback pitches of all time...two years later! I hope it was worth it, because for a team to listen to the cries of the fans in some pointless desire for retribution shows the height of immaturity.

 

The Bible teaches us to "Not let the sun go down on your wrath." If there's a problem we need to learn how to resolve things quickly. Granted, some things do take time, I certainly know that from personal experience, but it is also said that he who angers you controls you. Will you allow your thirst for revenge to consume you, or will you allow forgiveness to be your way of life?

Evolution has passed you by...

Believe it or not, there was a time in which the NBA did not have a 3 point shot. It's true, look it up. Prior to the 1979 season, there was no such thing as the 3 point shot. As of 2016, the league has gone completely 3 crazy, to the point where championships are being decided not so much by how talented a player may be (although it still pays to have a superstar) it's whether or not they can shoot the 3 pointer. We're seeing 6'11 guys like Anthony Davis learning how to shoot the trey, and GMs are building teams that are built around the perimeter. 

We've all marveled at the greatness of now 2-time MVP Stephen Curry and his video game like display of offensive wizardry and superhuman marksmanship from beyond the arc (and in some cases half court). As a matter of fact, he has been largely credited for how the league has morphed from the land of the giants to a jump shooting exhibition the likes of which have never been seen on the game's highest level. Teams that cannot shoot the 3 aren't long for success anymore. Centers are virtual dinosaurs, and the days of the Charles Oakley-like enforcers are passe. However, not everyone feels ready to embrace the new-age NBA, as evidenced by former player Tracy McGrady. For those who may not remember how great of a player "T-Mac" was, here's a hint:

Recently, upon being asked of his opinion of Curry winning the award, T-Mac felt the need to have his "Hey you kids, get off my lawn!" sermon on the Mount...

"For him to be the first player to get this unanimously, it just tells you how watered down our league is," he said. "Think about when [Michael Jordan] played, Shaq,  I mean, those guys really played against top-notch competition, more superstars, I think, on more teams than it is in our league today."

Now, he has been joined by the chorus of one Sir Charles Barkley, who has long championed the cause of opposing the league allowing teenagers to be drafted (never realizing that it wasn't until 10 years ago when the league instituted a rule that players had to be one year removed from high school before joining) and thinking that led to the "watering down" of the league. They believe that these players do not possess the all-around skills to become great players by coming out so early. This is ironic considering that McGrady, who never played in college, became a great scorer and we've seen LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant become first-ballot Hall of Famers without ever having to deal with March Madness. 

Even worse, the older generation seems to really have a problem with the evolving 3-point assault on the game. Yes, it has impacted the center position and makes it even more of a necessity to have great perimeter players, but think about this: change is inevitable in all walks of life. The advent of technology has changed our healthcare, education and private sector jobs. It has impacted how we communicate with loved ones and has created a bevy of careers not once thought of even 20 years ago (until 10 years ago, there was no need for a "social media director"). Sports is a microcosm of life, and when change occurs, we have to understand that it is not to destroy the traditions and values that we hold dear, but to show that there are different means to reach the end goal. 

Take one look at our political theater, and you will notice the "Silent Majority" who support Donald Trump still holds on to what they consider traditional mores, not realizing that the rest of the world has advanced into new ideas and new levels of understanding. It's why more moms are pulling their kids out of football with the knowledge of terms like CTE, and why we are no longer allowed to smoke in a metal tube going 30,000 feet in the air. We may laugh at guys like Barkley and McGrady for their views, but ask yourself: are you still living in the past, unwilling to embrace the future?

Face the music...

"Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on..."

Power Station "Some Like it Hot"

That was one of my favorite songs growing up in the 1980s. Granted the song has a more provocative theme to it, but the title was relevant to what we saw a few days ago when the mercurial Dwight Howard was a guest on the Emmy-award winning "Inside the NBA." For those who don't follow basketball, this show is known for its witty banter with the excellence of eloquence in Ernie Johnson being the straight man to Charles Barkley's no-holds-barred approach. Though I don't always agree with Sir Charles (especially with his take on today's NBA) he is to be admired for taking on stances that aren't always popular with mainstream sports media.

Once the Oklahoma City-San Antonio game came to its conclusion, Howard was asked during the post-game program by Barkley about his laissez-faire approach to the game. For those who don't know, the self-proclaimed "Superman" has been criticized for how he left the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and for failing to live up to expectations with the Houston Rockets. Below is a synopsis of Howard's response:

“I think I was very likable in Orlando, and the way that situation ended [with him wanting to leave Orlando], I think people felt as though I’m just this bad guy,” Howard said.

He was also asked if he was disinterested in playing, given his penchant for appearing to quit on his team:

 “Disinterested? I’m always interested in winning,” Howard said. “But sometimes, as a big, you want to feel a part of what’s going on. … Now there’s been times where I’ve been upset and I’ve taken myself out of games and situations, and that’s on me, and I have to grow and be a better player at that.”

Now, many of the pundits took that as a shot at teammate James Harden, who has also shown a devil-may-care attitude as a supposed star player. However, the important takeaway from this is Howard's willingness to own up to some of his past mistakes. He showed a sense of self-awareness, which we don't often see from a lot of star athletes whose receptive to negative press is akin to the throes of a jealous media who doesn't understand the sports world. He demonstrated a level of humility, and that is what people are looking for in their favorite stars; a person who is not above holding themselves accountable. He had to have known when he came on the show that they were going to hold his feet to the fire, and to his credit, he responded well.

How often are we able to take it when someone calls our actions "onto the carpet?" Do we dismiss what is being asked and blame others for our shortcomings, or do we take responsibility and say "You know what? I have had past indiscretions that are of my own doing!" There comes a point in time when everyone has to have their come-to-Jesus moment and realize that if they are not on the path they should be, we can't blame our parents, teachers, coaches, spouses, or the government. When we are called into judgment, we will have to be the ones who give an account for our actions, no one else. Be willing to take the heat, and it will provide you with a better perspective of who you are as a person.

Now, about that mauve suit Howard was wearing...

Hope springs eternal...

Today is yet another sad day to be a Washington DC sports fan...

Living in Northern Virginia for a quarter of a century, I have seen the DMV area experience some of the most gut-wrenching defeats at what should be their greatest moments of triumph. Whether it was RGIII's leg dangling in the air in the 2012 playoff game against Seattle, or the Washington Nationals blowing a 7-5 lead in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, to Al Horford tipping in the game winner in Game 5 against the Wizards because Nene decided to take a nap near the basketball ring (shout out to Ted Cruz). However, there is no other team that has gained the ire of the nation's capital as much as the gladiators of the ice, the Washington Capitals.

Last night was yet another spring in which they will not drink the sweet nectar of victory from Lord Stanley's Cup as they lost to their arch-nemesis the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the NHL playoffs and were eliminated again after having the best record in hockey. Granted, the NHL playoffs are more of a crapshoot than any other sport. All it takes is a hot goaltender and an aggressive front line and 8 seeds knock out the best teams at any given time in the spring. If there was a Mount Rushmore of frustrated sports regions, DC would rank up there with Cleveland, Buffalo, and (this last one hurts) Atlanta. They are the perpetual tease that leaves you wanting more, with an A-level superstar in Alex Ovechkin and opportunities galore, yet have not graced so much as the Eastern Conference final since yours truly was a sprite young lad at VCU.

What is most frustrating is that it's not as if this area is lacking for getting a grade A star like the aforementioned 3-time MVP Alex the Great. Basketball fans marvel at the All-Star ability of John Wall each winter, and in the spring we flock Nationals Park to see NL MVP Bryce Harper knock a fastball into orbit or round the bases with his hat flying off in a dazzling display of brilliance the likes of one Barry Lamar Bonds. However, each of their seasons always ends with the same Wile E. Coyote look of not getting that dastardly Road Runner again.

Remember this? Robert Griffin III electrified this area similar to how the Michael Vick Experience graced the Georgia Dome in the early part of the century. However, it ended mercifully after front office upheaval and a lack of progression ended his reign before it every truly got started. Although the "Black Jesus" T-shirts were on the edge of blasphemy, there was this real hope that he was going to bring the Redskins to their past glory of yesteryear...

..and that is why, even in the midst of disappointment year in and year out, is why we keep going on. Think about that job you were so sure you were going to get? Or maybe it was that relationship you just knew would end happily ever after, and it didn't? That's the beautiful thing about hope, it never dies, it only lives, and for us to give up hope would be to give up a part of ourselves. Where there is no hope, there is despair, regardless of what setbacks you may have had before. Keep on keeping on, because as long as you have hope that lives...

A rising tide...

A while back I mentioned about the importance of having a strong culture of community, which the Golden State Warriors have displayed in the midst of two-time MVP Stephen Curry's recent injury. Many pundits on television declared that they did not need him to return prematurely in their current second round series against the Portland Trailblazers, and for the most part they may be right. However, for anyone who noticed last night at the Moda Center, the return of the league's most explosive player (notice I didn't say valuable, more on that later) came back at the most opportune time, and when they needed him most.

No, not because they were down quickly to the Blazers 16-2, it was more than that. There was a sense that this Warriors team, which has had to deal with the season long burden of not only trying to defend their championship, but to win the NBA-record 73 wins, was wearing them down both physically and mentally. Even if Curry didn't score a single point (more on that later too) the fact that they saw their leader come back Willis Reed-style (Google please) was the lift they desperately needed. What occurred afterwards was one of the greatest offensive displays we've seen in NBA playoff history as Curry dropped 17 points in overtime as they won to take a 3-1 series lead. It was way more than just a sixth man performance the likes of Detlef Schrempf (Google please) has never seen, it was about how just his presence alone gave his team the boost they had been searching for. Golden State regained their championship swagger, and Curry's jaw-dropping performance simply provided evidence of such. Even Portland's owner Paul Allen was left dumbfounded. 

Many people will point to the fact that despite Curry winning a second straight MVP, that because of the players around him he isn't deserving of the award. I argue that it's because of his play making abilities that it has lifted up the performances of a Draymond Green or Klay Thompson. Some will say "What about LeBron?" While there is not a more dominating presence in the league since Jordan laced them up, James has created a culture of dependency to which everyone (including his hand picked coach) defers to him. He could not get that type of power in Miami, which is why he's trying to "win one for the 'Land." From owner to general manager to the barkeep outside of Quicken Loans Arena, they all rely on him to be their deliverer of the Larry 'O Brien Trophy. Curry, on the other hand, has been largely responsible for being the conductor of a system that breeds confidence from the 12th man on the bench that even they can play a large role in winning a title. That is what Jordan did for the Chicago Bulls, he made guys like Steve Kerr and John Paxson major players during their title runs of the 1990s. So when we talk about valuable, it's not about the individual performance, it's who is the person that has been most influential in raising the performance of everyone around them, even when they aren't there? Again, even if Stephen Curry had not registered a single point, guys like Green, Thompson and Harrison Barnes gained that extra umph needed to push themselves over the hump. 

What is your presence at your job, class, or team? Are you capable of being that person that adds value to whatever task needs to be done, or do you drain the atmosphere?

Foul? No, you're foul!

For the 3-plus decades in which I have watched all levels of basketball, there is always the perpetual question being asked: "What is a foul?" We have seen referees blow whistles on the lightest of touches, to allowing blatant discretions like the one above. We argue, "Why don't they call it by the book?" Understand first and foremost that referees, just like anyone else, are human. They make mistakes, and unlike anyone else, their mistakes are shown before millions around the world on television and online. Sports-talk radio shows banter on for days about what they believed was a missed call.

Again, by the letter of the law, it is a foul. However, the NBA came out yesterday and stated that at least 5 missed calls took place during the end of the San Antonio-Oklahoma City game on Monday night. They are correct as fouls by both teams occurred. While the tune of "well it's too late to do anything about it now" has been the prevailing mantra in the days after, what is refreshing to see is the league doing something that fans have been asking for a long time: keeping referees accountable. Recently during the first round of the playoffs Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson took it a step further:

It will be interesting to see what will happen going forward, or if Commissioner Adam Silver will begin to enforce stiffer penalties. The NFL has a system in which referees who continue to blow missed assignments are not allowed to officiate playoff games, and if the same is done in the NBA, it could see an end to what many people feel is an unfair and selective enforcement of officiating at opportune times.

Remember the outcry in the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Sacramento Kings in Game 6? The Lakers had an absurdly amount of free throws awarded to them in the fourth quarter, and appeared to many as if they were allowed to do more than what the Kings were in that instance. Although we forget that Sacramento still had a Game 7 (at home, btw) they could've won, to this day everyone and their mother outside of Staples Center still believes this game was rigged so that the NBA could have the LA market in the Finals.

 

Sure, there are times in which superstars are allowed to travel (Michael Jordan was notorious for getting away with three steps) and maybe can use their elbows more often than the 12th man off the bench, but to think that the league is telling their referees (who are well compensated) to throw a nationally televised game for the sake of ratings borders on the brinks of absurdity. However, after decades of people asking for the referees to be held accountable, the league has listened and are doing so. In life, we all know that mistakes will be made (Romans 3:23) but it's as they always say "The cover-up is worse than the crime." We all want to know that what we are watching and supporting is on the up-and-up, and that the standards of fairness and competency is extended to those officiating the games as much as those who are playing them.

However, I'm still convinced that the "frozen envelope" conspiracy was contrived by the Illuminati...

So you're saying there's a chance...?

They say that luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity. For years former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing has bided his time, preparing himself as an assistant coach, most recently with the Charlotte Hornets. Despite receiving adulation for his dedication to this craft, he never could receive the opportunity to prove himself at the next level and coach his own team. News came out over the weekend that he will finally get his chance by interviewing for the Sacramento Kings position. Although we don't know whether or not the "Madison Square Guardian" will get the job, this could open the door for other owners around the league to finally take another look at Ewing.

He is a testament to perseverance, never one to make his lack of opportunities a public issue. Even when he did not even receive consideration for the vacant job with his beloved Knicks (probably because deep down Phil "Big Chief Triangle" wants the job for himself) he didn't make it about himself, he just went back to work. While the NBA coaching carousel usually becomes nothing more than retreads getting hired over and over (looking at you, Sam Mitchell!) it takes an owner or GM with the foresight to think outside the box and give guys like Ewing their opportunity to show what they are made of.

There's a prevailing thought that big guys don't make great coaches; Kevin McHale would like to have a word about that. However, in recent years we have seen coaches like former Detroit Piston great Bill Laimbeer win multiple WNBA titles, and Ewing would be a great mentor to the enigmatic DeMarcus Cousins. This isn't about an endorsement, but about providing people opportunities who are hungry to prove themselves.

Sometimes it takes a fresh vision to provide stability, and if Ewing gets the position, he could be the stability that this woebegone franchise desperately needs.

Endless debate



The media, particularly the sports media, has evolved over the years. Some question whether that evolution has been a good thing. We marveled at the brilliance of Howard Cosell calling the Muhammad Ali fights or anticipating the next "Whoa, Nellie!" from Keith Jackson on ABC's college football broadcasts. The early days of ESPN "SportsCenter" was must-see television if you wanted to capture the best of the best on a daily basis. Sports broadcasting was highlighted by some of the brightest and sometimes boldest personalities. Although Cosell was never one to shy from controversy, he had a level of respect that made him the barometer of sports-speak.

Then, somehow, things changed, and the transformation from being a voice of the show to becoming the show was complete...

 

There are several examples of athletes taking on the media, but at the end of the day the personalities behind the mic were never the story until the (staged?) fight between then LA Rams quarterback Jim Everett and noted sports talk show host Jim Rome. Now we are in an era in which people tune in  to see the people who talk about sports as much as they do the players on the field or court. Never is that more evident than every weekday morning, when barbershops and television sets tune in to see ESPN's "First Take," which is the epicenter of their "Embrace Debate" era in which we see essentially the same topics being discussed ad nauseam. The most polarizing figure of them all (and even that's debatable!) is one Skip Bayless.

 

To be honest, I've always admired his work as a journalist. He was one of the main writers who helped expose the scandals at Southern Methodist University during the infamous "Pony Express" days that led to the school eventually getting the death penalty. However, to many people he is known as the "Terrell Owens-hater" and staunch supporter of one Tim Tebow during his ascent into the NFL. Love him or hate him, he and his cohort Stephen A. Smith draws people in daily to see their views on all things sports.



I'm not a fan of "First Take." I think it's nothing more than a network's desperate attempt to tug at the heartstrings of passionate fans with contrived arguments, although they are willing to touch upon serious issues, most notably racial situations when appropriate. However, I do believe that what this and other talk shows of its ilk have accomplished is that it has forced people to take a side, which is rare in this "banana boat" era of sports. Sometimes we are afraid to take a stand on something we feel strongly about, regardless if we're right or wrong. While we may not be compensated to give our opinion like Bayless, there is a place for having healthy debates and discussions on issues not only in sports but in more important topics.

While Bayless will be leaving ESPN for FS1, I'm sure that he will continue to be polarizing to all who follow. My question is to you: to what extend are you willing to go to take an opinion, no matter what side of the fence you are on?

When culture matters...

It lasted all of 18 minutes...but it may have infinite value...

That's how long last year's and the probable favorite MVP for this year Stephen Curry appeared on the court for yesterday's playoff game against the Rockets. He had arguably his worst game of the season, and left with a sprained left knee, and as of this time he is scheduled to have an MRI, which is never good news.

Of course, the instant Twitter reaction became the land of second guessers:

"They never should've played him"
"The Rockets had no chance to win anyway, why risk it?"
"This is going to end their chances of a repeat!"

We love to live life in the rear view mirror, and hindsight is always 20/20. However, in this case, having him out there was about more than just trying to defeat a slightly lesser team in Houston. As the second half proved, this may have been a window into displaying the character of this team. The Golden State Warriors made an NBA-playoff record 21 3-pointers en route to victory, and the way they rallied around their fallen leader is more about the culture and community that this team has more than anything else.

Life is often defined by how a person deals in crisis, not when everything is clicking well. Golden State has developed a culture of unity that is able to withstand keeping on without Curry. Now although we don't know what will be the extend of his injury, or even if it will end their title run this year, I believe that they will continue to be successful because they focus on the bigger goal and work together to do so? Can you imagine the Cleveland Cavaliers holding on without LeBron James? Just look at what happened to the Oklahoma City Thunder without Kevin Durant last year. They came apart.

Bottom line: A great team is enhanced by their culture, which the San Antonio Spurs have mastered to a T. While "fans" all over are mourning the potential loss of Curry for several weeks, what we must be reminded of is that they have the structure in place to handle such a setback.

To pause and reflect

 

 

On most days I would use this platform as an opportunity to express my personal viewpoints on the impact that the decision makers have on the world of not only sports but in society.

 

Today is not that day. I was prepared to write about the recent comments on former ESPN analyst Curt Schilling, but that will have to wait for another time. Two recent tragedies have occurred within the past 12 hours that necessitated a change in plans.

 

The first one came from Southern California, where news of one Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna to wrestling fans of the late 1990s, passed away from an apparent overdose. Whether or not that is true is not the story at this time, neither are the events in the latter years of her life. I take you back to my college years which coincided with the famed "Attitude Era" of 1998 when she first made waves as the proclaimed "Ninth Wonder of the World" in the WWF. Normally my friends and I would pack the community room at Virginia Commonwealth University to see the antics of Shawn Michaels and HHH as they formed Degeneration X and took over the WWF by storm. However, our eyes would quickly be averted to the woman standing behind them, with a chiseled physique and stone-cold look.

 

Over the months and weeks of late 1997 and beyond we would marvel at how physical she would be with the other male wrestlers, even beating them on several occasions. She was nothing like the Barbie-doll types that usually would be featured on Monday Night Raw broadcasts. Chyna even won the Intercontinental title while battling Chris Jericho. As a matter of fact, we'd be surprised when she competed against the women, as if it was somehow unfair for her to even lower herself to that level.

Later she would go on to be known as "Mamacita" with Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero, and find a new level of stardom before leaving the wrestling business.

 

What made her so special and unique was that she was unlike anyone we had ever seen, or have seen since then. I don't know if she ever made peace with those in the business, but she left a lasting impression at a time when we were looking for something different. Male or female, wrestling fan or not, Chyna was truly a wonder to see.

 

The next story, while not directly sports related, hit me and I'm sure millions of others like a ton of bricks as Prince Rogers Nelson, affectionately known as simply "Prince," passed away today at the age of 57. Iconic, legendary, gifted, there aren't enough words to describe what this man did as an entertainer, actor and producer. If you grew up in the early 1980s, you watched or knew someone who had seen "Purple Rain," sang "1999" and knew what he meant "When Doves Cry."

 

Prince was known by many as an avid basketball fan in the state of Minnesota. He played for Bryant Junior High in the early 1970s as an undersized 2-guard along with his half-brother Duane before making beautiful music with his guitar on near Hendrix-levels. Even as he went on to become the second greatest musician along with Michael Jackson in the 1980s he was still a figure with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, frequently attending their games and making his usually quiet presence known.

 

 

 

Younger generations may only remember him from the Dave Chappelle skits of 2003 with him playing basketball and offering pancakes to his defeated opponents. I will always remember him for his affectionate love of purple, the mysticism in which he performed on the keys, to the vivid imagination in which he expressed himself through his music.

 

If there is a lesson to be learned from these respective lives, it's that to enjoy the days of your life as much as possible. Live, love, and learn.



A second chance...

I was always a fan...

I used to marvel at the talent of one Stephon Marbury, and even though he spent only one season at Georgia Tech, I was one of the few who thought he was better than Allen Iverson. He had a rare combination of ball handling proficiency with scoring gifts that made him the pride of Coney Island. When he went to Minnesota I was excited at the possibility of him and Kevin Garnett being the northwest version of Shaq-Kobe. They had a phenomenal duo before they traded him to New York and he became the epicenter of the disaster that was the Isiah Thomas regime with lawsuits and poor results on the court.

However, all of that changed when "Starbury" went to China to play in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2010. Gone were the Vasoline eating videos and emerged was a man who found not only unprecedented success, but overwhelming peace, both on the court and off of it. He was recently bestowed the honor of receiving a permanent residence card, in addition to a statue and a postage stamp in his honor. Truly a remarkable turnaround!

What's so special about this is that he realized that what many of us have to in life; that sometimes it takes a great risk for a great reward. We have to step away from situations that while familiar to us and sometimes comfortable, don't provide us the peace that we need. It's stepping away from bad influences and toxic situations that only deteriorate our character in the long run. It's Abram leaving behind his family to become a father of many nations. It's that songwriter moving to California in the 70s on nothing but a tank of gas and a lot of dreams. It's the person reading this blog thinking "I need a change in my life." Marbury realized this while on the path of self-destruction, and now has a whole new outlook on life.

I was a fan of his as a teenager for what he did on the court; I am now a bigger fan for the excellence he displayed in making the right choice.

The sins of our past...

There's a saying in life: "Avoid the big mistake." We may forget to pick up the laundry, or turn off the lights after leaving the house; those are small slip-ups. We may even forget our spouse's birthday(which, depending on the spouse, could lead to an even bigger problem down the road) but I digress. However, those incidents can be quickly swept under the rug and forgotten the next day. Then there are those times in which we commit atrocities so great that they label us with a scarlet letter; that "S" is tattooed onto Rafael Palmeiro for life.

You may remember the photo above. It was from the infamous Congressional hearing in 2005 on steroid use in Major League Baseball (you know, the one in which Sammy Sosa coincidentally forgot how to speak English, or Mark McGwire not being there to "talk about the past"). Palmeiro's defiant stance on his never taking steroids was later discovered to be a lie as he was suspended for 10 games. The punishment was miniscule compared to the eternal shame of not being voted into Baseball's Hall of Fame. Even more so, he has seen his peers McGwire, Sosa, and players like Jeff Bagwell not get inducted yet; though Bagwell seems to be closer to getting voted in next year. This year, former catcher Mike Piazza, long accused to taking PEDs without any positive proof, was finally inducted and as time goes on there is hope that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.

Personally, I believe that regardless of PED use or not, the players who were the best of the best at their profession should be included. Palmeiro put up great numbers, but no one would ever consider him one of the best players of his era. Even if he had came out and admitted to his PED use, I don't think it would've changed the minds of the baseball writers. His story and admitting how tormented he is at the thought of not getting in should serve as a reminder of how we cannot place ourselves in situations that we know will create long term damage.

If you want to see someone who is successful, don't look at just their work ethic, look at the decisions they make day in and day out. It's those decisions that don't lead to later regret; a life filled with pain because there is no finality. For Palmeiro and countless others, his big mistake wasn't taking steroids, it was not owning up to it when he had the chance. He could've been a symbol for other players to step up and do what was right instead of focusing on their reputation.

Follow @JohnReidIV for suggestions or comments.

The definition of defiance

Relentless...

Driven...

Stubborn...

Powerful...

Beautiful...

Low emotional intelligence...

 

(Shout out to my brother Tony for sharing some of these thoughts...check out his blog at AFreshWord.org)

These are just a few terms that are used to describe Kobe Bean Bryant, both the player and the man. For 20 years he donned the purple and gold of Tinseltown and has graced our television screens and arenas since coming to the NBA in 1996 out of Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. He has experienced the highest of heights (5 championships) to the lowest of lows (the 2004 Finals, Colorado, playing with Smush Parker). He is an enigma wrapped up in a mystery; defined as the final bridge to a woebegone era when the player's brand was how many rings he won, and not based on his Twitter followers or mentions on SportsCenter. He was defined by his incessant desire for greatness, to the point where friendships were considered trite and a nuisance in his eyes. However, if there was one term that could best describe the life and career of #24, it would be defiance.

The final days of the Michael Jordan era concurred with His Airness flailing around the Verizon Center trying to carry a young and immature Washington Wizards franchise to greatness (it never happened). What it also did was spawn a litany of copycats like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis who all fell for the Gatorade ad gimmick but lacked the heart or leadership to do what was needed to bring their team to carry the Larry 'O Brien Trophy. Jordan's ultimate pupil also tried to imitate Jordan, right down to the mannerisms and cold-hearted demeanor that alienated teammates.

If Jordan was Emperor Palpatine, Kobe was his Anakin: wooden, confused and ultimate misled into thinking the Dark Side was the way. Kobe believed that there was only one way to win...his. He didn't care that he was called "uncoachable" by Phil Jackson in his book, or care that he was ultimately responsible for killing a potential dynasty with Shaq. Sure, you'll hear the Los Angeles Lakers brass claim that Shaq was getting old and they chose Kobe over him. Ask Dwayne Wade if Shaq was too old when they won it all in Miami in 2006 (with help from the refs but I digress).

Kobe's defiance was never more evident than in 2013 when he tore his ACL towards the end of yet another losing season. He refused to take help from anyone on the bench, sank two free throws, and refused help walking back to the trainer's room, when he knew it was all over. His defiance submarined the Lakers franchise for several years by refusing to help the team financially by draining their salary cap. He wanted to be so much like Lord MJ, that he forgot one simple thing: Jordan's career ended with him busting his chin on the MSG floor trying to teach Rip Hamilton and Kwame Brown how to be winners. Kobe's ended with him taking 50 shots in some self-promoting display and taking advantage of referee manipulation to score 60 points. While the recaps and tweets showered praise upon him as if he was riding on a donkey through Jerusalem, I turned the television to watch the new era of team ball accomplish NBA history in the Golden State Warriors. Jason Whitlock of FS1 said it best (and I'm paraphrasing since this is a family blog): "Last night at the Staples Center Kobe had a public display of self-intimacy and we're calling it the greatest love scene of all time."

Defiance can be a good thing, it can keep an individual focused in the toughest of times; refusing to bend to the will of those who they deem are in the way. When combined with wisdom it can change the course of history, as the end goal is more outward than myopic. Kobe's defiance, while it has been praised by old school heads, should also serve as a reminder that when we take that final lap, we should be able to look back at not just the accomplishments, but the individuals we have impacted along the way.

Now I ask: what was Kobe's impact on the players who adored him, and was his defiance worth the cost?

Follow @JohnReidIV with comments or suggestions.

What do you stand for?

"You don't steal the base you just left. You steal the base ahead of you."

-Jackie Roosevelt Robinson

As discussed in detail yesterday, the life of Jackie Robinson was defined by not so much what he did to integrate baseball, but what we was as a man. Dedicated, committed, and a fierce competitor on the diamond and off of it. His later years were more revealing of who he was more so than when he was stealing bases at Ebbets Field. Although his body was breaking down by age 33, his spirit never did. Once he had finished his epic career, he transitioned into business management at Chock Full O' Nuts, while being the first black writer at the New York Post. It was then when he decided to use his platform for social change, with the rising civil rights movement beginning to take America by storm. 

The 1960s were an era of an awakening; when the echoes of America's forefathers gave way to the rising voices of youth who were disenfranchised with the establishment dividing the races and decided to take their fights to the streets. Robinson felt he had an obligation to be a voice, and met with dignitaries such as then-Vice President Richard Nixon as well as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to encourage America to put away its legalized racism and embrace other cultures. Baseball had already crossed the color line, he thought, why not our businesses and government?

He wasn't alone, as later star athletes such as Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali would lend their voices outside the field of play and draw attention to very serious issues plaguing the black community. Before he retired, he would often speak about not being able to see black third basemen coaches in baseball. A few days before he died in 1972, he got to see Frank Robinson as one of the coaches during the World Series.

We live in an era in which the pursuit of social justice is either misguided or secondary to the pursuits of worldly gain. We still as fans look for voices who are not afraid to stand up and say, "No!" to the rafters when they see injustice happening to their communities and families affected by poor leadership in Washington. Remember the "Justice for Trayvon" movement? A movement's greatest impact should be not just about changing laws, but bettering lives. That is a lesson many athletes are now realizing, especially in the social media era where any voice can be heard over 140 characters.

The next time you hear someone quote Charles Barkley's "I'm Not a Role Model" speech, ask the children who marveled at the very sight of a man who didn't set out to be one at first, but later realized how he had no other choice, and in that changed the course of history.